Obsidian: Volcanic Crafting Powerhouse

By Jason B. | RimWorld

Introduced in the RimWorld: Odyssey expansion, obsidian is a volcanic resource prized for its **extreme sharpness** and **decorative appeal**. While it boasts unmatched cutting power for melee weapons and enhances colony aesthetics, its **low durability** requires strategic use.

Acquiring Obsidian

• Mining lava fields: Primary source, with deposits yielding 32 obsidian per 1,200-health tile (modified by game difficulty and mining skills).
• Map features: Search for “obsidian deposits” on volcanic world map tiles.
• Trade: Rarely available from merchants, but unreliable compared to direct mining.

Key Properties

• 📦 Stack Limit: 75
• ⚖️ Mass: 0.5 kg
• 💰 Value: 5 silver
• ✨ Beauty Bonus: +8 base, ×2 multiplier
• ⚔️ Sharp Damage: ×1.4 multiplier
• 🛡️ Vulnerability: 50% max HP compared to steel
• 🧊 Cold Insulation: +3°C
• 🔥 Non-flammable: 0% burn risk

Strategic Applications

⚔️ Melee Dominance

• Ideal for **spears**, **longswords**, and **ikwas** – especially impactful for tribal starts
• Tradeoff: Weapons degrade **50% faster** than steel equivalents

🎨 Aesthetic Enhancements

• **Sculptures** and **throne rooms** benefit from ×2 beauty multiplier
• Pairs well with granite/steel defenses – use obsidian walls **indoors** for visual flair

🌋 Map-Specific Advantages

• Abundant in volcanic biomes, reducing reliance on caravan trading
• Heat-resistant properties complement lava field base designs